Emmental Cheese: How Long Does It Stay Fresh?

Emmental cheese, also known as Emmenthal, Emmentaler, or Emmenthaler, is a semi-hard Swiss cheese known for its yellow colour and large holes. It is made from cow's milk and has a nutty, buttery, and fruity flavour. When stored in the refrigerator, an opened package of Emmental cheese will typically last for 3 to 4 weeks, while an unopened package can last for up to 6 to 8 months. To extend the shelf life, the cheese can be frozen, and when properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about 6 months to a year.

Refrigeration

Sliced Emmental deli cheese, when stored in the refrigerator, will last for 3 to 4 weeks. To maximise its shelf life, unopened sliced Emmental should be kept in its original store deli packaging. Once opened, wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.

Emmental cheese should always be kept in the fridge and should not be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. Otherwise, bacteria inside the cheese can grow to dangerous levels and make it unsafe to eat.

Freezing

To freeze Emmental cheese, it is recommended to cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. This ensures optimal freezing results. The cheese should then be wrapped tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or placed inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Vacuum sealing the cheese is ideal to prevent air exposure, which can cause freezer burn and other adverse effects of cold storage. If a vacuum sealer is unavailable, carefully removing as much air as possible before sealing the cheese is crucial.

For shredded, grated, or sliced Emmental, clear wrap, a zipper-seal bag, or a vacuum-sealed, freezer-friendly container can be used for storage. A rolling pin can be useful to push out any remaining air in a bag containing grated cheese.

When stored in the freezer at 0°F (-17.8°C) or lower, Emmental cheese can be safely consumed beyond 12 months, but it is important to note that quality aspects such as taste and texture may diminish over time. Therefore, adhering to the recommended storage timelines is advisable for optimum enjoyment of the cheese's delicate, nutty flavours.

Once thawed, previously frozen Emmental cheese is best suited for cooking applications, as it may become crumbly and lose some of its original flavour and texture. It can be a great addition to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles, or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Signs of spoilage

Emmental cheese is a semi-hard Swiss cheese with a nutty, buttery, fruity, and flowery flavour. It is famous for its yellow colour and its many holes. It is made from cow's milk cultured with three types of bacteria.

Emmental cheese, like any other cheese, can go bad. Here are some signs of spoilage:

Appearance

If you spot any visible mould on the cheese, it has gone bad. If the mouldy area is small, you can cut away at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around and below the mouldy part (without touching the mould with the knife) and recover the cheese in fresh wrap. However, if the cheese is shredded, sliced, or crumbled, the entire package should be discarded.

Smell

If the cheese gives off an off-putting or strange odour, it is a clear indication of spoilage.

Texture

If the cheese becomes very hard and/or darkens in colour, it has spoiled.

Taste

If the cheese develops an off or strange flavour, it should be discarded.

To maximise the shelf life of Emmental cheese, it should be wrapped tightly in wax or parchment paper and then covered with plastic wrap or aluminium foil before being stored in the refrigerator. Properly stored, an opened chunk of Emmental cheese will last for 3 to 6 weeks in the refrigerator.

Shelf life

The shelf life of Emmental cheese depends on how it is stored. The cheese should be kept in the fridge and shouldn't be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.

For an unopened package of Emmental cheese, it can be kept in its original packaging and refrigerated until the "best by" date. Deli-counter cheese, whether wrapped in plastic or paper, will last for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.

Once opened, an Emmental cheese block will last for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator. To maximise its shelf life, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover with plastic wrap before refrigerating.

To further extend the shelf life of Emmental cheese, it can be frozen. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each, and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen in this way, the cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but it will remain safe to eat beyond that time.

Storage methods

Emmental cheese should always be stored in the refrigerator, and it should not be left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. To maximise its shelf life, wrap the cheese tightly in its original packaging, or in wax or parchment paper, and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating. This will allow a limited amount of airflow without making the rest of the refrigerator smell like cheese.

To further extend the shelf life of Emmental cheese, you can freeze it. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than 1/2 pound each, and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. When stored like this, the cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but it will remain safe to eat beyond that time.

If you are storing deli-bought Emmental cheese, it may be kept in its original packaging when refrigerating. To maximise its shelf life, do not open the package until you are ready to use it.

Emmental cheese should never be mouldy. If you see mould, or notice an off odour or flavour, it has likely spoiled and should be discarded.

Frequently asked questions